Skift global trend for 2013: Last minute hotel booking

Curated last-minute mobile hotel bookings, and then crossing over to other sectors like car rentals, and perhaps eventually air tickets, is where it is going.

— Rafat Ali

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Last week we released our first report, “13 Global Trends That Will Define Travel in 2013” outlining the major trends that will define travel in 2013. Below is one of the trends we see as playing out over 2013 and beyond. Download the full report below.

HotelTonight is a very well-funded app built to do one thing and one thing only: Book last-minute, same-day hotels in the city you are in. Every day at noon local time the app gives you deeply discounted rates at five hotels available in your chosen city.

The innovation is not just on the simple curation concept, but also on UI and design: gorgeous dark tones and a simple one-click to book using your stored your credit card info. The app fills a real need in the market, especially for business travelers, and no wonder it is growing like a weed. Expect more such curated single-function startups to crop up. In reaction to HotelTonight, Priceline already launched Tonight-Only hotel deals, and expect further challenges from other established players.